The successful test flight of a long-range hypersonic missile by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) marks a significant technological achievement for India. This missile test demonstrates India’s growing capabilities in advanced defense systems and places the country among the select few nations equipped with such cutting-edge military technologies.
Key Highlights:
- Test Details:
- Location: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
- Range: Greater than 1,500 km.
- Payloads: Capable of carrying various types of payloads for all branches of the Indian armed forces.
- Development:
- Indigenously designed and developed by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and industry partners.
- Presence of Officials:
- Senior DRDO scientists and members of the armed forces witnessed the flight trial.
- Defence Minister’s Remarks:
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement as a “major milestone” and emphasized the strategic importance of the success for India’s defense capabilities.
What Makes Hypersonic Missiles Unique?
- Speed: Travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (over 6,200 km/h), making them significantly faster than traditional cruise missiles.
- Manoeuvrability: Equipped with hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs), they can alter their trajectory mid-flight, bypassing traditional missile defense systems.
- Strategic Impact: When combined with fractional orbital bombardment systems (FOBS), they reduce adversaries’ reaction time and undermine existing defensive mechanisms.
Comparison with ICBMs:
- ICBMs:
- Carry nuclear warheads on ballistic trajectories into space.
- Lack orbital capabilities and limited maneuverability.
- Hypersonic Missiles:
- Operate within the upper atmosphere, providing enhanced agility.
- Can evade detection and interception due to their unpredictable paths.
Implications for India:
- Strategic Edge: Strengthens India’s deterrence capabilities and positions it as a leader in hypersonic technology.
- Military Modernization: Enhances the armed forces’ ability to respond to evolving security threats.
- Global Standing: Places India in an elite group of nations with advanced hypersonic systems, including the US, Russia, and China.
This landmark development by DRDO not only showcases India’s technological prowess but also ensures robust national security in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
